Junior wins prize book
ADAMS TWP — The juniors at Mars High School have spoken, and Andrew Diefenbacher is the holder of the 2015 Harvard Prize Book.
The Harvard Club of Western Pennsylvania, through the donation of a member, gives a Harvard Book to the high school to award to the junior who fits the program’s criteria.
The book is awarded to “an outstanding student in the next-to-graduating class who has displayed excellence in scholarship and high character, combined with achievement in other fields,” said Alice Hirsch, president of the Harvard Club.
The facilitator of the program at Mars High is guidance counselor Tina Yankello, who said juniors nominate their outstanding peers for the book.
The book is a compilation of written selections by three centuries of Harvard alumni.
Yankello said Diefenbacher was surprised and excited to learn he won the book.
She said he is an excellent candidate because he exemplifies the program’s criteria.
“Andy fits the whole picture,” Yankello said. “It’s not just that he is at the top of his class. He also excels outside of school.”
In addition to his membership in the National Honor Society, Future Business Leaders of America, Science Bowl Team, Hometown High-Q team, orchestra, chamber ensemble and soccer team, Diefenbacher participates in the district’s Summer Leadership Academy and attends a variety of STEAM (science, technology, engineering, art and math) activity camps in the summer, Yankello said.
“He’s really nonstop in his pursuit of learning,” she said, “and he stays humble the whole time.”
Hirsch said being selected to receive the Harvard Prize Book is a definite advantage for young adults who list the honor on their resume or college application.
Diefenbacher is the son of Gregg and Jennifer Diefenbacher of Mars.
He is a violinist with the Pittsburgh Youth Chamber Orchestra, a member of the North United Soccer Team and a volunteer and SKY High youth group member at St. Kilian Parish.
